new york Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

May22018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Explore Islands Philippines tourism expo to be held at Grand Central Terminal New York

America, Events, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

New York’s iconic Grand Central Terminal will provide the backdrop to showcase the 7,641 islands that make up the Philippines, which is promoting its vacation destinations. With a launch by the Philippine Tourism Secretary, the Explore Islands Philippines expo will run from May 9, through May 12, 2018. On May 9, Explore Islands Philippines kicks off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony graced by Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia. Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo will be joined by Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr., President of the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board Cesar Montano, as well as other high-ranking officials from New York State and the Philippines. Speakers from the Philippine Tourism will talk on May...

Jul252017 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

At the Carrie Bradshaw of Sex And The City apartment New York

America, Entertainment, Features, Movies, New York, Society, Style, Television, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

"And there, in the same city where they met as girls, four New York women entered the next phase of their lives, dressed head to toe in love. And that's the one label that never goes out of style." Does this sound familiar? Even more so - do you know those lines by heart? Then, why, hello there, fellow Sex and the City fan! Are you Team Big or Team Aidan? Regardless of who you're rooting for - one thing's for certain. We all know an apartment building in New York with an all too familiar looking stoop, where a girl cried, laughed, sat, fell in love, kissed and talked about her love for shoes! Are you Team Big or Team Aidan? Regardless of who you're rooting for - one thing's for certain. We all know an apartment building in New York with an all too familiar looking stoop, where a girl...

Jun62017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

US Embassy now asks for your social media accounts

America, Mindanaoan Update, New York, News, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

The US government has now approved plans to ask US visa applicants for their social media accounts. Just recently, the Trump administration has started conducting background checks on the social media usage of visa applicants going back 5 years ago via a new questionnaire. The development now also allows consular officers to request email addresses, phone numbers as well as 15 years of biographical information from visa applicants, should a "more rigorous national security setting vetting" is needed. This may definitely make visa applications more difficult for lots of people. READ: How to pass your US Embassy visa interview The new questionnaire has a section where you need to write your usernames for any websites or applications you may have used to create or share content (p...

Apr192017 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Top of the Rock New York (plus a tip on how to save on your ticket)

America, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Photos, Style, Travel, United States of America, Videos

No New York City visit is ever complete without seeing it from the top! And one of the popular places to do that is to go to the Top of the Rock - top of the Rockefeller, that is. To be able to explore unobstructed views of New York's midtown and downtown Manhattan plus the vast Central Park is an experience one can never forget. I should know - I just visited Top of the Rock and it was AWESOME to say the least! At the risk of sounding too mushy, may I just say that this view really made me very happy and thankful to be alive! CityPASS Armed with our CityPASS booklets, my aunt and I went to the Top of the Rock - one of NYC's top tourist attractions. Which reminds me - to buy your CityPASS booklet is the tip I want to share on how to save on your New York tour expenses! CityPASS is...

Mar312017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Hello from New York!

America, Announcements, Blogging, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Personal, Travel, United States of America, Videos

Hello! I finally have the time to just sit down and blog! It's true - this surely is the city that never sleeps. I'm talking about New York City, USA! Yup, I'M BACKKK!!! Can you tell how excited I am? No? Maybe that's because I'm freaking freezing my a** off LOL :D I arrived here in New York about two days before a big blizzard. Just when I thought winter season was about to close and spring was about to come! I guess winter just wanted to leave with a bang, eh? Although it wasn't my first time to encounter snow, it was my first time to be in the middle of a raging blizzard. But deadma sa blizzard --- pose kung pose! :D Before I inundate you with my America-related blog posts, allow me to share with you my vlog about my flight from Cebu to Incheon (South Korea) and finally to ...

Mar162017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

4 Meaningful Ways to Give Back to Your Community

Advocacy, America, United States of America

From monetary donations to social media awareness campaigns, there are many ways that you can help charities without even leaving your chair. But what if you're interested in something a little more substantial than that? What if you want to affect real-world change in your community? Here are just four meaningful ways to make a difference. 1. Get Personal Find a cause that matters to you. Join an organization that inspires feelings of love, passion, excitement and righteousness. It doesn't matter if it's saving elephants in Kenya or exposing more children to the arts with street pianos in New York; the most important thing is that you care and that you're willing to take action based on that feeling. Obligation will only take you so far. 2. Go for the Grassroots While ever...

Nov172013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Gin Blossoms to hold Haiyan benefit concert #GBFansRockPhilippines

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music

Last month, during a concert in Manila, I met really cool, talented, down-to-earth and generous guys. Those guys were Robin Wilson, Scott Johnson, Jesse Valenzuela and Scott Hessel a.k.a. Gin Blossoms. Yes, the very same guys who made "Hey Jealousy," "Till I Hear It From You," "As Long As It Matters" and "Follow You Down" smash hits worldwide. Never mind if their "As Long As It Matters" song is a Grammy-nominated creation and that it has earned the band more than 9 Million in sales in the US alone. They were very sweet, approachable and have hearts of gold. In fact, during their stay in the Philippines, they, along with the bands Smash Mouth and Sugar Ray, donated more than 400 official concert t-shirts to the victims of the 7.2 earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu. Check out Robin...

Jun272013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to plan your New York City trip

America, United States of America

The great recession that started in 2008 affected tourism industries across the country. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, New York, was especially impacted by reduced travel and spending. Good news came in 2012 when an Oxford Economics study showed that tourism rose 6.2 percent over the previous year. In total, tourism spending in the state reached $57 billion in 2012. The majority of this tourism money goes to New York City, but the rest of the state saw great improvements as well. Buffalo gets a lot of attention because of its proximity to Niagara falls, and many upstate destinations are known for having beautiful organic farms, majestic lakes and serene mountain landscapes. New York City, however, is still the main attraction. Now that the economy is impro...